Given today's announcement by RR of all three QB's playing vs. Western, there are a couple of interpretations/reactions that spring to mind (there may be others but I'm a couple hours into some social drinking at the moment). The first is that with two true freshman and one so far terrible QB, that the decision to play all three is completely prudent and the only rational decision to make. As RR said, you don't really know how good they are until you see them in action vs. real opponents.

The other possibility is that no one has really separated himself from the others, which could cause some (given last year's terrible QB situation and play) to be mildly disappointed given our hunger for a clear starter to emerge and thrive.

As for me, my vote is squarely for the former. I think this is exactly what we should do given this year's team and the current QB situation. Let them prove themselves live, and have the competition continue through the early season. I'd only be slightly disappointed if someone didn't emerge by end of season, but even then if we're winning and getting effective play, it's all good.

i agree with this (at least this is what i was telling my friends) that RR doesn't want anyone to know who his QB is. I really don't think we'll know until a few days before the WMU game but i doubt that all 3 play in a steady rotation.

I don't even think the quote was that all will play I think he said something like: maybe I will just have 3 starting QB's. He also said if he did have a starter picked that he wouldn't tell us, so I'm not worried. I think he just doesn't want to give anything away.

Last season RR let Threet and Sheridan basically try to win the starting job on the field during the first 2-3 games, I had a feeling he might do something similar this season.

Of course RR would love to have 3 viable qb's, who wouldn't , especially after last season, and I could see Forcier and Robinson splitting time, at least for the first few games. Sheridan too? I don't see that happening, unless Sheridan is no longer DEATH and perhaps only a SEVERE HEAD INJURY.

Of course there's the Coner, and a couple other kids (Nader Furrah? and the other kid, Kennedy - played a few snaps in the spring game ) but if we haven't heard anything about them yet I don't think they're viable options at this point.

They had a few articles on rivals and I think it was RR that said he had ALL QB's rotating in with the 1's, 2's and 3's. ALL QB's have playing time with ALL spots. With that said Sheridan was the first one getting snaps in most of the practices but Forcier was right there with him getting an equal amount - Sheridan just started first. Robinson is mostly running with the 2's so a lot of his impressive runs have come against the 2 defense, for what that is worth. In all honesty no media person, fan or visitor is allowed for all the practices so outside of what the coaches are telling us we really don't know. I guess this is one of those things we will just have to wait and see.

afterall while im kinda aginst ripping on a walkon ... he does have a scholarship now and he was death to all things michigan football ... i dont want him on the field period .... give me jack kennedy or coner before him

I pray that what RichRod is doing is paying lip service to the idea of having a three-way competition to keep everyone sharp. If at least one of the two freshmem isn't head-and-shoulders above Sheridan by game one, this is probably going to be another really bad season.

Everyone at espn.com is flipping out over the headline "Michigan will rotate 3 QBs" when RR never actually says that. It sounded like he was joking to me when he said MAYBE we will play three. There are 680 comments on Rittenberg's blog right now. Ridiculous.

Tate admitted that he took it a little bit easier in spring practice once Sheridan was injured. If all three continue to compete as RR would like to have it, it will bring out the best in all of them, especially since they each have different strengths and can learn from one another.
Sheridan = more experience
Tate = better throwing
Shoelace = better running

If Sheridan takes the first few series, it does not mean that RR thinks he is the long term starter.

Going with a game experienced QB to get things rolling is the safest and most likely way to get some points on the board and prepare your freshman QBs to come into the game and be successful.

It is a far better option than dropping a completely green true freshman QB out in front of 110,000 people and a TV audience.

Sheridan has a larger 'playbook' than Tate and can get the first series our two under his belt vefore we see Tate.

EXPECT Sheridan to start WM and don't freak out, possibly ND also (first major opponent, first rivalry game, not a smart place to drop a true freshman). Do not expect him to hold the job the whole game, certainly not the whole season.

Imagine how easy it will be for WM or ND to key on Tate/Denard if they start?

I agree, I expect Sheridan to start the opener. I'm not saying he'll get the majority of the snaps, I just agree Sheridan starts the game. I anticipate the crowd's excitement when they unexpectedly see Tate on the 3rd/4th Michigan drive.

if Nick was the starter. I know he has more experience with the offense but he doesn't have an arm and he probably has the slowest legs of the three. The only thing he has the other two don't is the experience, but that was not the best experience, we can all attest to that. I'm sure Nick will make less mistakes than last year
I would prefer Tate first, then Denard, and that's it. Nick knows enough to be the third string guy. Personally, I think the decision has been mostly made and it's going to be Tate but I feel the coaches have been impressed with Denard and that he will get some snaps too. Perhaps Nick, just because Coach has a big, family, heart.

At what point do you go with a starter and a clear #2 guy so they can get most of the reps in games and practices?

This is a team that must win the required games to get to a bowl game. If the most consistent possibility to do that is Sheridan, I take it. Tate and Denard might benefit more if Sheridan can do just that--it gives them a year to mature and grow into the position.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see Sheridan start the first couple games and see significant minutes in them, especially if the offense does all right with him. And by all right, I mean consistent ball movement and scoring enough to beat WMU comfortably and allowing the two freshmen token snaps to get a feel for the game.

I'm just not going to waste another minute belittling a kid who is giving his all, working with Barwis, and getting the shit kicked out of him to realize his dream.